The Eberstadt Collection began with a few books that came into the possession of Edward Eberstadt (1883-1958) around the turn of the century while he was working in the West. He later realized their value and the potential of such items and took up book collecting as a profession in New York City. The Eberstadt Collection consists of a variety of early Spanish documents, many of which relate to Father Margil, the development of the missions, the Austin's Colony and other colonization endeavours, the Revolution, and the Republic. An autographed English version of the Convention of 1833 Memorial and some autographed royal documents and census also feature in this collection. There is also a great deal of deeds, land grants, and title books; early records of various kinds from twenty-two Texas counties; and some early documentation of the oil industry, though in this case only peripherally pertaining to Texas. Mostly, items in this collection are unrelated in time or content except for the broad designation of Texas and the Southwest.

AMDigital Reference: 3N183.

Reproduction of: United States Office of Army Clothing and Equipage Letters 2 Jan-5 Apr 1856.

Dolph Briscoe Center for American History